Hatchery Series Release #3 Black Lager
SweetWater Brewing Company

I now welcome yinz to New After Dark At Water, My Sweet (Week 705)! I spent the morning with Atwater B.C., but as the Summer of 2018 winds down, I am reluctant to get out of the water.

From the Bottle: "Bottle Conditioned for Fresher Taste"; "Don't be scared of the dark. This black magic might look big, but it is not. This 5% ABV lager is actually light and crisp. - Nick Nock, Head Brewer"; "Appearance[:] A dark brew with a big white head.[,] Aroma[:] Roasted malt and coffee.[,] Flavor[:] Malt forward with chocolate and cashew, balanced with hops sitting quietly in the background.[,] Occasion[:] Sitting on the porch watching leaves fall."

I Pop!ped the cap & began a slow, gentle pour into the awaiting glass. Once I had this arduous task sufficiently accomplished, I performed an in-glass swirl which raised just under two fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, deep-tan/light-brown head with decent retention. It was kind enough to leave behind some nice lacing when it fell. Color was Dark Brown to Very dark Brown (SRM = > 27, < 34) with NE-quality clarity and mahogany highlights. Nose was roasty, smoky, chocolaty & even slightly coffee-like. Mouthfeel was big, full and rich, like a dollop had been scooped onto my tongue. Great under any circumstances, but outstanding in a Lager-style beer! The taste had a pronounced anise/treacle/licorice Twizzler flavor. Mmm. Warming, I got a light nuttiness & I can see where Nick Nock got "cashew". Bless you! This beer was a real blessing after so many bigger ales earlier in the day. Finish was smoky & dry and highly refreshing. I would definitely drink this again, if the opportunity arises.

 

 

12oz. bottle poured into a Hefeweizen glass.
Pours clear dark brown near black with a tan head that's minimal but long-lasting. Very little lacing. Dark toasted malts in the nose; sweetened dark fruits like fig and raisin, no hops detected. Taste is dark fruits, molasses, with a good deal of hops bitterness to balance the malt. Mouthfeel seems good for the style. Overall pretty standard Schwarzbier attributes.

Pours a clear dark brown color. 5/4 inch head of an off-tan color. Great retention and decent lacing. Smells of roasted malt, sweet malt, slight caramel malt, hint of yeast, hint of piney hops, and slight wood. Fits the style of a Schwarzbier. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with a high carbonation level. Tastes of roasted malt, sweet malt, slight caramel malt, hint of yeast, hint of piney hops, and slight wood. Overall, good appearance and aroma, but body is lacking and too carbonated.

 

 

Very solid. I hard poured it out of a bottle. Head kept pretty decent with some lacing. Pretty black color. Good aroma of caramel. Tastes roasty and caramel. Very good flavor. Quite solid indeed!

12 oz bottle from the brewery with a BB date stamp of Feb. 2018.
Pours dark brown; nearly opaque but clear. Excellent, durable and creamy beige head.
Very good lacing.
Aroma: Dark roasted malts, mild coffee, toasted nuts, burnt toast, smoked peat.
Flavor: Dark roasted malts, black coffee, toasted nuts, burnt toast, smoked peat. Smoky for style.
Feel: Smooth, medium-light body with near medium carbonation.

 

 

Appearance: Deep dark ruby with attractive off-white head and minimal lacing.

Aroma:b Caramel and roasty malts. Nice.

Taste: Roasty malts and caramel, with hints of coffee, chocolate and some char. Very pleasing light body but plenty of rich flavor. A solid and well-done black lager.

 

A: Black, nearly opaque, large off white head, great lacing

S: Caramel, chocolate, yeast

T: Chocolate, coffee, reminds me of Guinness.

M: Velvety smooth small bubbles, again resembles the feel of Guinness.

O: A decent dark lager. I was really hoping for a little more, but I would go for it again.